Juan Garcia-Herreros

Juan Garcia-Herreros
Background information
Birth name Juan Sebastian Garcia-Herreros
Also known as Snow Owl
Born July 1, 1977
Origin Bogotá, Colombia
Genres World music, Latin jazz, Orchestral
Occupation(s) Producer, Composer, Bassist
Instruments Electric contrabass guitar
Labels Inner Circle Music
Associated acts Snow Owl
Website www.the-snow-owl.com

Juan Garcia-Herreros, also known as "The Snow Owl", is a native born Colombian Bassist & Composer, notable for his virtuoso musicianship and for his use of a customised 6-stringed Electric Contrabass Guitar.[1]

History

Juan Garcia-Herreros was born in Bogotá, Colombia. His first musical studies began with Flute at the age 9 after moving to New York City with his family. Once he completed middle school his family relocated once again to Dunedin, Florida where he discovered the electric bass. Due to the fact that his family was unable to afford private lessons his passion for learning fueled him to become a self-taught musician. Juan was just 16 when he began to teach Music Theory and Jazz Performance at Dunedin High School in Florida. His highschool band teacher recognized his young talent and encouraged him to also study acoustic bass so that he could be a part of the symphonic band in school. After spending many dedicated hours playing both acoustic and electric bass, he auditioned and became proficient enough to perform with the Tampa Bay Symphony at just 17 years of age.[2]

At the same time Juan competed in New Orleans for a slot in Berklee College of Music's Scholarship tour and received a coveted scholarship to attend the school in Boston.

He studied at Berklee with bass instructors Bruce Gertz, Joe Santerre, Rich Appleman and Oscar Stagnaro.

At age 21, he returned to New York City to pursue a professional music career. While in New York, Juan developed the ability to meet the demands of multiple styles. Whether the musical genre is Jazz, Pop, Funk, Salsa, straight-ahead, Rock, Modern, Classical, Heavy metal, or Avant-garde he is capable of performing without artistic compromise.

At age 26, he moved to Vienna, Austria where he currently resides.

At age 30, he was selected by a jury to become part of the faculty for the Jazz Institute of the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz. He was the first Colombian to be honored with such an academic position in Austria. He left the Jazz Institute in the fall of 2012 due to a very busy touring schedule.[3]

At age 37, he was Nominated for a Latin Grammy Award in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album, for his third CD release entitled "Normas". He is the first Electric Bassist ever to be nominated for this category.

At age 39, he was awarded Triple Gold Medal and One Bronze honors from the prestigious Global Music Awards in the categories of World Jazz, Best Album, Best New Release 2016 and Instrumental Music. He is the first Colombian born Artist and Electric Bassist to ever receive this honour. This award has placed him amongst a small group of elite musical legends such as previous Gold Medallists Anna Netrebko, Gustavo Dudamel, Ricky Kej and Esperanza Spalding

Performances and collaborations

CD Artwork from Snow Owl's second CD Release "Art of Contrabass Guitar"

During his career, Juan has performed and collaborated with:

As a composer his original compositions have been featured in the off-Broadway production of "Anatomy of a Knucklehead".

Since 2005 Juan has performed at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California as well as two solo bass concerts at the 2006 Frankfurt Musikmesse.

He has taught Bass Masterclasses in Berklee College of Music and at multiple international universities.

Snow Owl's performances have included major festivals and venues stretching from the continents of Asia, Europe and the Americas

Awards and recognitions

Current projects

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Hollywood in Vienna Electric Bass Music of Lalo Schifrin
2013 Hollywood in Vienna Electric Bass Music of James Horner
2014 Hollywood in Vienna Electric Bass Music of Randy Newman
2015 Hollywood in Vienna Electric Bass Music of James Newton Howard
2016 Hollywood in Vienna Electric Bass Music of Alexandre Desplat

 

Discography

The Blue Road (Feistritz Castle, Sankt Peter am Kammersberg, AUT)

  • Released: 12 July 2016
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Inner Circle Music
  • Producer: Juan Garcia-Herreros
  • Tracks: 11

Normas (Home Music Studio Vienna, AUT)

  • Released: 7 November 2013
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Inner Circle Music
  • Producer: Juan Garcia-Herreros
  • Chart position: No. 3 U.S. Jazz Charts
  • Tracks: 7

Art of Contrabass Guitar (Avatar Studios New York City, USA)

  • Released: 1 February 2010
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Inner Circle Music
  • Producer: Juan Garcia-Herreros
  • Tracks: 10

Snow Owl Quartet (4 Tune Studios Vienna, AUT)

  • Released: 1 September 2006
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Quinton Records
  • Producer: Andreas Rathammer & Heinrich Schläfer

References

  1. ↑ Salzburger Nachrichten
  2. ↑ Jazzthetik
  3. ↑ "Detail". Kug.ac.at. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  4. ↑ Sonic Pages Vienna December 2008
  5. ↑ "Hollywood in Vienna". Hollywood in Vienna. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  6. ↑ url=http://www.hollywoodinvienna.com
  7. ↑ Jazzeit Magazine issue 59.
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ "/ CD OF THE YEAR / 2003". Hanskollerpreis.at. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  10. ↑ Kurier Zeitung February 19 Chronik
  11. ↑ "2010 Best Traditional Jazz". Osplacejazz.com. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
  12. ↑ "Austrian World Music Awards | Facebook". Austrianworldmusicawards.eu. 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  13. ↑ "Bass Musician Mag - Bass Guitar Magazine Informing, Educating and Connecting Bass Players Worldwide". Bassmusicianmagazine.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑
  16. ↑
  17. ↑
  18. ↑
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